If you’re on a whirlwind tour of Scotland and only have 1 day in Edinburgh, you’ll want to make the most of it. This guide will break down everything you need to know about Scotland’s capital city, including where to spend your time and dollars to maximize your day. This guide is an add-on to my 7 Day Scotland Itinerary, which gives you everything you need to see the country in just one week.
Edinburgh (pronounced “Ed-in-bur-ruh” or “Ed-in-bruh” – not “Edin-burg” like I originally thought), is a city with both incredible history and great curb appeal. The city itself is perched atop a volcanic rock, which is the landscape of an epic fantasy right away, nevermind the fact that there are plentiful remnants of medieval times which you can wander through in Old Town. It’s one of my Top 10 Places to Go in Scotland because of its ability to make visitors fall in love with its cobblestone roads in less than 2 hours flat.
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1 Day in Edinburgh – Morning Itinerary
Whether you’re waking up from your hotel or arriving on a train or bus from Glasgow, you’ll want to get a jump start on your day, given how much history and culture you’ll be squeezing into 24 hours. Have a full Scottish breakfast at your accommodations,as you’ll be counting lots of steps in one day in Edinburgh.
First Stop: Edinburgh Castle
Perched atop Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle is a majestic fortress, not a fairy tale castle. The castle is nearly 1000 years old and is equal parts enchanting and foreboding. Centuries of Scotland’s long-storied history have played out in the castle.
As you approach the castle, its formidable stone walls and towering ramparts will transport you back in time. Inside, the castle is a treasure trove of Scottish history, home to the Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny, artifacts that have played pivotal roles in the nation’s past. The castle’s varied architecture, from the medieval Great Hall to the 19th-century Queen Anne Building, showcases centuries of evolution and adaptation.
I’m not sure if this is a controversial take, but it’s definitely my favorite of Scotland’s castles.
To make the most out of your time, I recommend a guided tour of the castle. Scots are some of the best storytellers in the world, and as a result, the country is one of the best places to learn history from a guide. They have a way of making the past seem like it is living and walking alongside you.
If you know you want to enter Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle in Stirling, and Urquhart Castle in Loch Ness, then the Explorer Pass might be a good way to save some dollars. It’s valid for 14 consecutive days and includes entry to all 3 castles. Edinburgh Castle is really the best one to enter in my opinion, especially if you’re short on time.
Give yourself about an hour if you’re going in the castle, or 30 minutes to wander around if you’re not entering.
Second Stop: The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile starts at the bottom of the Edinburgh Castle, so you don’t need to go far for the next part of your day.
The Royal Mile is a historic and vibrant street in the heart of Edinburgh. It stretches for approximately one mile from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the other end. This iconic thoroughfare is divided into several distinct sections, including Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street, Canongate, and Abbey Strand, each with its own unique character and historical significance.
This is where you have a bit of a choice, and that choice depends on what type of traveler you are.
- If you’re someone who wants to really immerse yourself into the history of the city, I’d recommend taking a walking tour of Old Town Edinburgh, which includes a trip down the 400 year old Vaults that run under the city. Again, Scots are incredible story tellers, so this is the place to join a guided tour.
- If you’re a Harry Potter lover, then you need to do this Harry Potter themed walking tour through Old Town. It’s tailored to all of the places which inspired JK Rowling in the creation of her sprawling magical masterpiece. But the guides will also give you the history outside of just HP history, so it’s really a 2 for 1 type of deal.
- If you’re a Basic Economy B that is happy to pretend you’re walking through a centuries-old fairytale, just wander and enjoy. I did this with my parents and we had a perfectly lovely time (don’t ask my mom much about Edinburgh’s history or lore though, we were definitely just enjoying the fairytale vibe).
A favorite of many visitors to Edinburgh is a visit to St Giles Cathedral, located on the Royal Mile. Dating back to the 12th century, it’s known for its stunning architecture and the famous Thistle Chapel. I found that walking by and sticking my head in for 5 minutes was sufficient, but you may want more time to appreciate this historic cathedral.
Give yourself two hours to wander around the Royal Mile or enjoy one of the guided tours mentioned above. Edinburgh Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so you will not be bored.
You’ll want good walking shoes for the day. If you’re staying in Scotland for a week, make sure to review my full Scotland packing list before your trip!
1 Day in Edinburgh Itinerary: Midday
Lunch in Grassmarket
Grassmarket was once upon a time a working marketplace for livestock and goods. The area is crammed full of medieval architecture and cobblestone streets. The restaurants offer traditional Scottish fare and are mostly catered to tourists. If you’re traveling in the summer months, a reservation for lunch might not be necessary but is likely a good idea. More on the months that I recommend visiting Scotland here.
Food in this area is going to be slightly overpriced and not the best food you’ll eat on your trip, but you’ll have a view of the looming castle and the historic marketplace. I mostly recommend Grassmarket because if you only have a day in Edinburgh, you aren’t going to want to spend the time, money, or energy to trek outside the main tourist drag to find other food options* (*probably, but I admittedly might just be kind of lazy.)
Hike Arthur’s Seat or Do Whisky Tour:
After lunch, you have two options if the weather is nice: a hike up Arthur’s Seat or a Whisky (Scotch) Tour. And if you made good time in the morning, you may be able to do both. If you’re dealing with substantial rain or cold, you may want to skip Arthur’s Seat in favor of the whisky tour.
Arthur’s Seat
Finish your walk on the Royal Mile and walk past Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the British monarch. There isn’t much time you need to spend here, but a couple minutes of gawking is kind of fun.
From Holyrood, you can see the trail at the base of Arthur’s Seat. Arthur’s Seat is an extinct volcano that offers hikers incredible panoramic views of the city, all the way to the sea. The hike is moderate and takes about an hour (if you’re coming from spending a day in Isle of Skye, the Old Man of Storr is considerably more challenging than Arthur’s seat, for context).
There isn’t a universally agreed upon reason why the hill is called Arthur’s Seat, but my favorite theory is related to the legends of King Arthur. According to legend, the hill was named after the mythical king who was said to have had his throne there. Not sure if anyone else watched BBC’s Merlin when it came out 15+ years ago, but I was more than content to believe this theory.
The hike itself takes 1-2 hours depending on how fit you are and how many selfies you take at the top (The selfie stick really shined for me and my fam at Arthur’s Seat).
The Scotch Whisky Experience: Tour and Tasting
Arthur’s Seat is great, but if strenuous hikes are not your favorite way to spend your vacation or you have any mobility issues, you can skip it and still leave the city of Edinburgh with love and fondness. If I were you, I would instead book this Scotch Whisky tour and partake in Scotland’s storied beverage of choice.
This particular tour is the only tour anywhere in Scotland that offers a grand tour of Scotland’s five whisky-producing regions, revealing the complete story of Scotch whisky. Discover each region’s unique aromas and flavors, from Speyside’s floral and fruity malts to Islay’s smoky, peaty whiskies. During your guided tour, you’ll explore their impressive glass and marble vault, home to one of the world’s largest Scotch whisky collections with nearly 3,500 bottles.
Once you wrap up with your hike up Arthur’s Seat or your whisky tasting, or both, you’re probably going to be a little tired. For different reasons, depending on how much whisky you tasted. Walk 20 minutes from Holyrood Palace to Princes Street Gardens if the weather is nice.
Princes Street Gardens
Relax in Princes Street Gardens, a beautiful park right in the heart of the city. It’s a great place to unwind and enjoy the views of Edinburgh Castle and the Scott Monument.
The Scott Monument is a striking Gothic spire dedicated to the Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, towering 61 meters high. Its intricate design, featuring statues of Scott’s characters and a panoramic viewing platform (if you didn’t get enough of the views from Arthur’s Seat), are a tribute to his literary legacy.
Princes Street Gardens are also located only a 5 minute walk from Waverly Train Station, so if you’re based in Glasgow (and you can read more about why I recommend that in my post on Glasgow or Edinburgh), you’re conveniently near where you need to catch your train or bus back to Glasgow at some point in the evening.
Staying the evening in Edinburgh? Here are some relatively cheaper accommodations that still put you near the heart of the action of Old Town:
- Grassmarket Hotel – offers a vibrant, centrally located stay with stunning views of Edinburgh Castle and a cozy, contemporary atmosphere that perfectly complements the historic charm of the Grassmarket area.
- Motel One Edinburgh Royal – provides a stylish and budget-friendly stay with modern amenities, conveniently located just a short walk from Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.
- Edinburgh Backpackers Hostel – offers a friendly and budget-conscious haven with a relaxed atmosphere, situated in the heart of the city, just steps away from the Royal Mile and Edinburgh’s major attractions.
From here, I would now take the time to venture a little further out of the main tourist areas for better food at better prices.
Cheap but delicious eats if you have a day in Edinburgh:
- Mum’s Comfort Food – Forrest Road – offers a cozy haven where you can savor hearty, homestyle dishes made with fresh, local ingredients in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.
- City Cafe – Blair Street – provides a vibrant setting for enjoying a diverse menu of delicious comfort food, from classic British dishes to creative specials, all served with a side of lively atmosphere.
- Oink – Canongate – renowned for its mouthwatering roast hog sandwiches, offering a tasty and satisfying experience with each savory bite.
*In case you’re like my father and the rest of my family and have a quest to see every Hard Rock Cafe in the world, the Edinburgh one is conveniently located, just not that jazzy to be honest.
Looking for a unique thing to do in Edinburgh at night? Visiting during spooky season? Love the idea of underground vaults? This evening ghost tour is an hour long and spook-tac-ular.
As your whirlwind one day in Edinburgh draws to a close, you’ll find that this magical city has a way of capturing your heart, as promised. From the Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile to the breathtaking views from Arthur’s Seat and a whisky tour that tickles your taste buds, Edinburgh packs an epic adventure into just 24 hours. Whether you’re wandering through historic streets or savoring a dram of Scotch, this city’s charm will have you dreaming of your next visit before you even leave!
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